More than 60 representatives from 25 countries and 4 continents gathered in the Europe Center on July 28-29, 2012, two days before the International Summer Course, to exchange about recent developments in their countries and discuss about what brings us together as one Diamond Way family of Buddhist practitioners. Trust, friendship, practice, transmission and good style were among the terms coming up again and again in various contexts during the weekend.

The first part of Saturday’s gathering took everyone around the globe and on the same page with so-called “World Tour” – an introduction by Caty Hartung into the major developments in the Diamond Way world over the last 24 months plus a briefing by all representatives on what’s the main focus in their countries at the moment commented by Lama Ole.

The afternoon was dedicated to “World Café” workshop on important topics about our work and style. The emerging collective wisdom and the richness of many different cultures and viewpoints turned the afternoon into a creative 3-hour exchange.

The first day of the meeting then finished with a common meditation and storytelling long into the night while munching on Italian tapas and other goodies brought by many from their countries.

On Sunday the exchange went on and was rounded off by a Q&A session with Lama Ole and Caty. Many questions were asked and points clarified and everyone left inspired, with lots of ideas and material to pass on at home.

The two days were definitely a time well-spent with new connections being made and old strengthened. The big picture just got a lot bigger.